Chapter 114

Chapter 114

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Chapter 114

Wang Xifeng Returns to Jinling After Her Vision of Illusory Truth; Zhen Yingjia Receives Imperial Favor and Returns to the Jade Palace

Now, when Baoyu and Baochai heard that Xifeng was gravely ill, they rose hurriedly. The maids attended them with candles. Just as they were about to leave the courtyard, someone arrived from Lady Wang's side with the message: "Second Master Lian's wife is not doing well. She has not yet passed, but she has not stopped breathing. Second Master and Second Mistress, please do not go over just yet. Second Master Lian's wife's illness is rather strange. From the third watch to the fourth watch, she has been talking incessantly, babbling nonsense, asking for boats and sedan chairs, saying she must return to Jinling to be entered in the register. No one understands her; she just weeps and wails. Second Master Lian has no recourse; he had boats and sedan chairs made of paper, but they have not yet been brought. Second Master Lian's wife is gasping and waiting for them. He sent us to say that you should wait until she has passed before going over." Baoyu said, "This too is strange. What is she going to Jinling for?" Xiren said softly to Baoyu, "Do you not remember that dream you had that year? I still recall that there were said to be so many registers. Was not Second Master Lian's wife also to go there?" Baoyu listened and nodded. "Yes, indeed. That being the case, then everyone has a fixed destiny. But I wonder where Sister Lin has gone? Now that you have said this, I begin to understand somewhat. If I should have that dream again, I must look carefully, and then I shall have the gift of foreknowledge." Xiren said, "A person like you really must not be spoken to. I happened to mention it casually, and you take it seriously! Even if you could foretell the future, what could you do about it?" Baoyu said, "I fear I cannot foretell the future. If I could, I would not need to fret so needlessly on your account."

As the two were speaking, Baochai came over and asked, "What are you talking about?" Fearing she would cross-examine him, Baoyu said only, "We were discussing Sister Feng." Baochai said, "A person is about to die, and you two still go on discussing her. Last year you said I was cursing people—was not that prophecy on the lot fulfilled?" Baoyu thought for a moment, then clapped his hands. "Yes, yes. That being the case, you can foretell the future after all. Let me ask you, then—do you know what will become of me in the future?" Baochai laughed. "There you go again, being absurd. I was only making a random interpretation of the words on the lot he drew, and you took it as truth. You are just like Sister Xing. When you lost your jade, she went to ask Miao-yu to use the planchette, and the message that came down was incomprehensible to everyone. She even told me in private how Miao-yu had foreknowledge, how she had attained enlightenment through meditation. Now that she has met with this great calamity, how could she not have known about it herself? Can that be called foreknowledge? As for me, I happened to speak of Second Master Lian's wife's affairs, but in truth I do not know what has become of her. I fear I do not even know what will become of myself. Such matters are not to be trusted—how can you believe them?" Baoyu said, "Let us not speak of her. Tell me only about Sister Xing. Ever since we have had one trouble after another here, we have quite forgotten about that matter of hers. How could such a great event in your family have been settled so hastily, without inviting relatives or friends?" Baochai said, "You are being impractical again. Our family's closest relations are only here and with the Wang family. The Wang family has no proper people left. Our family has been dealing with the Old Lady's funeral, so we did not invite anyone; Second Brother Lian simply made what arrangements he could. As for other relatives, though there are one or two branches, you have not visited them, so how would you know? It seems to me that Second Sister-in-law's fate is much like mine. She was properly betrothed to my Second Brother, and Mother had originally intended to give Second Brother a grand wedding. But first, because my elder brother was in prison, Second Brother was unwilling to make a great show of it; second, because of our family's affairs; and third, because Second Sister-in-law was suffering too much under the Elder Lady's harshness, and with the family having been raided, the Elder Lady being somewhat severe, she was truly miserable. So I spoke to Mother, and they married her over in a modest way. I see that Second Sister-in-law is now content and happy, and she is more filial to Mother than a real daughter-in-law could be, ten times over. She is also the most devoted wife to Second Brother, and she gets along very well with Xiangling. When Second Brother is away, the two of them live together in harmony. Though they are somewhat poor, Mother has been more comfortable lately. It is only when she thinks of my elder brother that she cannot help but grieve. Besides, he often sends people home to ask for money, and it is only thanks to Second Brother obtaining funds from outside accounts that he is able to provide for him. I have heard that several houses in the city have already been mortgaged, and only one remains, and they are planning to move there." Baoyu said, "Why must you move? If you stay here, it will be more convenient for you to come and go. If you move far away, it will take you a whole day to get here." Baochai said, "Though we are relatives, after all it is more convenient for each to have their own arrangements. Who lives with relatives all their life?"

Baoyu was still trying to argue against moving out when Lady Wang sent someone to say: "Lian's Second Mistress has stopped breathing. Everyone has gone over there. Please, Second Master and Second Mistress, go at once." When Baoyu heard this, he could not hold back his tears and stamped his feet in grief. Baochai, though also stricken with sorrow, feared that Baoyu would take it too much to heart, and so said: "Rather than weeping here, you had better go there and weep." So the two of them went straight to Xifeng's place. There they found a crowd of people wailing around her. Baochai stepped forward, and seeing that Xifeng had already been laid out on the bed, she broke into loud weeping. Baoyu also seized Jia Lian's hand and burst into tears. Jia Lian too began to cry afresh. Ping'er, seeing no one to comfort them, had no choice but to swallow her own grief and come forward to try to stop them. All the others were overwhelmed with sorrow. Jia Lian, at a loss what to do, sent for Lai Da and told him to manage the funeral arrangements. He then went to report the matter to Jia Zheng before proceeding. But his purse was empty and he was hard-pressed on all sides. This reminded him of all the good things Xifeng had done over the years, and he wept even harder. Then he saw little Qiaojie crying as though she would die, which grieved him still more. He wept until daybreak, then immediately sent for his brother-in-law Wang Ren to come. Wang Ren, ever since Wang Ziteng's death, had been behaving recklessly, as Wang Zisheng was a worthless man and let him do as he pleased, with the result that he had quarreled with all his relatives. Now hearing that his sister had died, he had no choice but to hurry over and weep for a while. Seeing that everything here was being done on the cheap, he was displeased and said: "My sister managed your household for several years, working herself to the bone. She never did anything wrong. You ought to give her a proper, decent funeral. How can it be that even now nothing is ready?" Jia Lian had never been on good terms with Wang Ren. Hearing such nonsense from him, he realized that the man understood nothing and paid him little attention. Wang Ren then called his niece Qiaojie over and said: "When your mother was alive, she managed things badly. She only knew how to flatter the Old Lady and paid no attention to the rest of us. Niece, you are grown up now. Have you ever seen me take advantage of you? Now that your mother is dead, you must listen to your uncle in all things. The relatives on your mother's side are just me and your Second Uncle. I have long known your father's character—he only values other people. When that concubine You died, I wasn't in the capital, but I heard he spent a great deal of money on her. Now that your mother has died, is he really going to be so stingy? You ought to urge your father to do better." Qiaojie said: "My father would love to do it properly, but things are not what they used to be. He has no money at hand now, so naturally he has to economize on everything." Wang Ren said: "Is that so? You must still have plenty of things." Qiaojie said: "What was confiscated last year was never returned." Wang Ren said: "You say that, but I heard that the Old Lady gave you a great many things. You should bring them out." Qiaojie could not very well say that her father had used them, so she merely pleaded ignorance. Wang Ren then said: "Oh, I see. You're just keeping them for your dowry." When Qiaojie heard this, she dared not reply, and could only sob, choking with indignation. Ping'er said angrily: "Uncle, if you have something to say, wait until Second Master comes in. The young miss is only a child. What does she understand?" Wang Ren said: "You people are only too glad that Second Mistress is dead, so you can be masters yourselves. I don't want anything. A decent funeral would reflect well on you too." With that, he sat down in a huff. Qiaojie was filled with resentment, thinking to herself: "My father is not unkind. When my mother was alive, my uncle took any number of things from us. Now he talks as if he had never touched a thing." From that moment she thought very little of her uncle. And indeed Wang Ren was thinking to himself that his sister must have saved up a great deal. Even though the family had been raided, there must still be no shortage of silver in the house. They must be afraid that he would come pestering them, and so they were all backing each other up. That little creature was useless too. From then on Wang Ren also turned against Qiaojie.

Jia Lian knew nothing of all this. He was busy trying to raise money. The outside arrangements he left to Lai Da, but inside the house too he needed a good deal of money, and for the time being he simply could not manage it. Ping'er, knowing how anxious he was, said to Jia Lian: "Second Master, don't wear yourself out." Jia Lian said: "What does my body matter? We don't even have money for daily expenses. How am I going to manage this? And on top of everything, there's a muddle-headed fool making trouble here. What can anyone do?" Ping'er said: "Second Master, don't worry. If you need money, I still have some things that luckily weren't confiscated last year. They're inside. Take them, Second Master, and pawn them for ready cash." Jia Lian was overjoyed. "That would be splendid," he said with a smile. "It will save me running around everywhere. I'll pay you back as soon as I get my hands on some silver." Ping'er said: "These things were also given to me by the mistress. What's this about paying back? All I want is for this affair to be handled decently." Jia Lian was truly grateful to her. He took Ping'er's things and pawned them for money, and from then on he consulted Ping'er on all matters. Qiulong, watching this, was not at all pleased. She would often say pointedly: "Now that the mistress is dead, Ping'er wants to rise above her station. I belong to the master. How can she take precedence over me?" Ping'er noticed this but simply ignored her. For his part, Jia Lian, seeing things clearly for once, grew to dislike Qiulong all the more, and when he was frustrated he would take it out on her. When Lady Xing heard of it, she blamed Jia Lian instead. Jia Lian had to swallow his grievances. But let us leave this matter here.

Meanwhile, after a pause of some ten days or so, the funeral was held. Jia Zheng, in mourning for his mother, kept to the outer study. By this time the hangers-on had gradually taken their leave one after another, with the exception of Cheng Rixing, who stayed on and often kept him company.

"Our family fortunes have taken a bad turn," Jia Zheng remarked. "We've lost several members of the household one after another, and both the Elder Master and Master Zhen are away from home. Finances grow harder every day. As for the farmlands to the east of the city, I don't know how they're faring—it can't be anything good!"

Cheng Rixing replied, "I've been here for some years now, and I know that every single person in this household has been feathering his own nest. Year after year they've been taking things for themselves—naturally the household has fallen further and behind each year. Then there are the additional expenses of the Elder Master's and Master Zhen's establishments, debts owed to outsiders, and the considerable sums lost in that recent business. It would be difficult to get the yamen to track down the thieves and recover the stolen goods. If you, venerable sir, wish to set your household affairs in order, you must summon those who have charge of affairs and send a trusted person to make a thorough investigation everywhere—eliminate what should be eliminated, retain what should be retained, and hold those responsible to make good any shortfalls. Then you would have a clear picture. No one would dare buy that large garden, but the income from it is by no means negligible, and now no one has been put in charge of it. In the years when you were away, those people played all sorts of tricks, until no one dared set foot in the garden. All this is the fault of the servants. If you investigate the servants now, keep the good ones and turn out the bad, that would only be right."

Jia Zheng nodded. "What you don't know, sir, is that I can't even rely on my own nephews, to say nothing of the servants. If I were to investigate, I couldn't possibly see and know everything personally. Moreover, I'm in mourning and can't be looking after such matters. I've never much concerned myself with household management—what's there and what isn't, I have no idea."

"The venerable sir is the most benevolent and virtuous of men," said Cheng Rixing. "In another family with such finances, if things came to ruin, it wouldn't matter even if it took five or ten years—one could simply demand the money from those who manage the estate. I've even heard that among your people there's one who's become a magistrate."

"If a man once starts making use of his servants' money, he's done for," said Jia Zheng. "All one can do is practice frugality oneself. But as for the properties listed in the registers, if they actually exist, well and good. What I fear is that the names are there but the reality is not."

"Your view is perfectly correct, venerable sir. This is exactly why I said an investigation is needed!"

"You must have heard something, sir."

"Though I have some knowledge of the influence those managers wield, I would not presume to speak of it."

Jia Zheng understood from this that there was something behind his words and sighed, "From my grandfather's time onward, we have all been benevolent. We have never treated our servants harshly. But I see that these people grow worse by the day. If I assert my authority as master now, I shall only be a laughingstock."

While the two of them were talking, the gatekeeper came in and reported: "Master Zhen from Jiangnan has arrived." Jia Zheng asked: "Why has Master Zhen come to the capital?" The man replied: "This servant has made inquiries. They say it is by the grace of the Sacred Edict that he has been recalled to office." Jia Zheng said: "No need to say more. Quickly invite him in." The man went out and ushered him in. This Master Zhen was the father of Zhen Baoyu, named Zhen Yingjia, with the courtesy name Youzhong, also a native of Jinling, from a family of meritorial forebears. He had long been related to the Jia family and had maintained close ties. Two years ago he had been dismissed from his post due to an official error and his family property had been affected. Now, because His Majesty cherishes the memory of meritorious officials, he has been restored to his hereditary rank and is coming to the capital for an audience. Having learned of the old lady's recent passing, he had specially prepared sacrificial gifts to visit the place where her spirit tablets were kept at an appropriate time to pay his respects, and so had come first to pay a call. Jia Zheng, being in mourning, could not go far to greet him, and waited at the door of the outer study. When Master Zhen saw him, his feelings were mixed between grief and joy. Since they were in mourning and it was not convenient to perform formal rites, they clasped hands and exchanged words of reminiscence about their long separation and mutual longing. Then they took their seats as host and guest, tea was served, and they spoke of what had happened since they had last met.

Jia Zheng asked: "When did Your Excellency have your audience?" Zhen Yingjia replied: "The day before yesterday." Jia Zheng said: "His Majesty's great favor must have brought warm words of encouragement." Zhen Yingjia said: "His Majesty's grace is truly higher than heaven—he issued several decrees." Jia Zheng asked: "What favorable decrees?" Zhen Yingjia said: "Recently the southern pirates have been rampant, and the common people along the coast are in turmoil. The Duke of An has been dispatched to suppress the bandits. His Majesty, knowing that I am familiar with the local terrain, has ordered me to go and pacify the region, but I must set out immediately. Yesterday I learned of the old lady's passing to immortality, and I have respectfully brought incense to pay my respects before her spirit tablet, to express my humble sentiments." Jia Zheng at once kowtowed in thanks and said: "Your Excellency's journey will certainly comfort the Imperial Heart above and bring peace to the common people below—truly a great deed, and this mission is precisely the right one. But I shall not have the privilege of witnessing your talents in person; I can only listen from afar for news of your victories. The current Commander of the Maritime Garrison is a relative of mine; when you meet him, I hope you will look upon him kindly."

Zhen Yingjia asked: "What relation is the Commander to Your Excellency?" Jia Zheng replied: "When I was serving as Grain Intendant in Jiangxi some years ago, I betrothed my youngest daughter to the Commander's young master, and they have been married for three years now. Because the matters at the river mouth had not been settled, and were followed by the gathering of traitors among the pirates, communication has been cut off. I think of my daughter constantly. When Your Excellency's pacification mission is completed, I beg you to kindly have someone check on her on your way. I will write several lines and trouble your messenger to carry them—I cannot express my gratitude enough."

Zhen Yingjia said: "Parental love for one's children is something no one can avoid. I too have a favor to ask of Your Excellency. Having been summoned to the capital by the Sacred Edict, and because my son is young and there is no one to manage the household, I have brought my whole family with me. But because the Imperial deadline is urgent, I am traveling day and night ahead of them, while my family follows slowly behind—it will still be some time before they arrive in the capital. I, having received the Imperial mandate to leave the capital, cannot stay long. When my family arrives in the capital, they will certainly visit your honorable household, and I will have my son pay his respects. If he can receive instruction, and if there are any marriage prospects to be explored, I hope you will keep him in mind—this I would be grateful for." Jia Zheng agreed to everything.

Zhen Yingjia then spoke a few more words and was about to take his leave, saying: "We will meet again tomorrow outside the city." Jia Zheng, seeing that he was pressed with business, supposed it would be difficult for him to sit longer, and escorted him out of the study.

Jia Lian and Baoyu had been waiting there to see him off, but because Jia Zheng had not summoned them, they did not dare enter on their own. When Zhen Yingjia came out, the two stepped forward to pay their respects. Yingjia was taken aback at the sight of Baoyu, thinking to himself: "How can this one look so much like my Baoyu? Only he is dressed entirely in white mourning clothes." He asked: "It has been so long since we last met that the young masters no longer recognize one another." Jia Zheng quickly pointed to Jia Lian and said: "This is the elder nephew Lian, the son of my elder brother She." Then he pointed to Baoyu and said: "This is my second son, named Baoyu." Yingjia clapped his hands and marveled: "At home I had heard that Your Excellency had a beloved son born with a jade in his mouth, named Baoyu. Since he shared the same name as my son, I thought it very strange. Later I supposed this was not uncommon and paid it no further mind. Who would have thought that upon meeting him today, not only do they look alike, but their manner is the same as well—this is even more remarkable!" When asked about his age, he was a year younger than the young master here.

Jia Zheng then mentioned Baoyong and related the whole story of how his son and Master Zhen's son shared the same name. Yingjia, being absorbed in his interest in Baoyu, had no leisure to ask whether Baoyong was reliable or not, but repeatedly exclaimed: "Truly remarkable!" He then took Baoyu's hand with the utmost warmth. Fearing that the Duke of An might depart very soon and that preparations for the long journey needed to be made, he reluctantly parted and slowly took his leave. Jia Lian and Baoyu escorted him out, asking Baoyu many things along the way. After he had boarded his carriage and departed, Jia Lian and Baoyu returned to see Jia Zheng and reported everything Yingjia had asked.

Jia Zheng dismissed the two of them. Jia Lian went to settle the accounts for Xifeng's funeral expenses. Baoyu returned to his own quarters and told Baochai: "That Zhen Baoyu I've always heard about—I thought I'd never get to see him, but today I met his father first. I also heard that Baoyu himself will soon be coming to the capital to call on my father. And everyone says he looks exactly like me—I just don't believe it. If he comes to our household later on, you should all go and see for yourselves whether he really looks like me or not."

Baochai replied: "My goodness, you're speaking more and more without thinking. You actually talk about a man looking just like you, and then ask us to go and look at him!"

When Baoyu heard this, he realized he had misspoken and his face flushed red. He hastily tried to explain himself. What he said will be told in the next chapter.